The document describes a patented nanotechnology for treating melanoma using endothelial progenitor cells containing gold nanoparticles (ECFC-AuNPs). The ECFC-AuNPs specifically target melanoma tumors through molecular signaling. When exposed to laser stimulation, the AuNPs release heat to cauterize the tumor through coagulative necrosis. The technology has been tested preclinically for melanoma diagnosis and treatment, and may also be applicable to other cancers. It offers advantages such as long shelf life, low cost, and potential for personalized therapy.

1. Therminator:
Nanotechnology for
the treatment of
melanoma
INVENTORS: Del Rosso Mario
Fibbi Gabriella
Laurenzana Anna
Margheri Francesca
Chillà Anastasia
Margheri Giancarlo
Zoppi Angela
CO-OWNER: CNR - Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche
STATUS PATENT: Granted
N° Priority: 102016000045932
Date: 8 novembre 2018
Patent family: CN109219452A; CN109219452B;
DK3452099T3;EP3452099A1;EP3452099B1;ITUA20163140A1;J
P2019519249A;MX2018013435A;US2019142980A1;WO201719
1572A1

2. The invention consists of a bio-molecular complex consisting of cells with strong tumor tropism (ECFCs)
containing gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) that can give off effective thermal energy for cauterizing melanomas. The
invention identifies a subpopulation of endothelial cell progenitors (called ECFCs, Endothelial Colonies-Forming
Cells) that can be appropriately labeled and combined with gold nanoparticles for the treatment of melanomas.
The cells, taken from human umbilical cord blood, are combined with stabilized, compositionally controlled
nanoparticles and retain their functional characteristics of endothelial cells (migration, proliferation,
angiogenesis). In animal experimentation, such a biomolecular complex spontaneously localizes in melanoma 18
to 24 hours after injection, exploiting the known CXCR4 (expressed by ECFCs)-SDF-1 molecular system produced
by the tumor mass. The bio-molecular complex is found to be present in the primary tumor and its metastases
18 hours after injection and over the next 25 days. Au-NP-ECFC-enriched tumors, and their metastases, can be
revealed by SPECT or photoacoustic effect (diagnosis). Stimulated with a pulsed laser beam, the complex reacts
by releasing heat, which cauterizes the tumor mass by inducing coagulative necrosis (therapy).
The Invention

3. Del Rosso Mario, Prof. Ordinario Onorario di Patologia Generale, Università di Firenze
Fibbi Gabriella, Ricercatrice di Patologia Generale, Università di Firenze
Laurenzana Anna , Ricercatrice di Patologia Generale, Università di Firenze
Margheri Francesca, Ricercatrice di Patologia Generale, Università di Firenze
Chillà Anastasia , Post-Doc nel Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Sperimentali e Cliniche, Università
di Firenze
Margheri Giancarlo , Ricercatore di Fisica, ISC-CNR, Sesto Fiorentino (Firenze)
The Team

4. The patented technology has already been tested in preclinical phase for the following applications:
1. Diagnosis of primary melanoma;
2. Diagnosis of melanoma metastasis;
3. Treatment of primary melanoma;
4. Treatment of melanoma metastasis;
5. Diagnosis and treatment of all cancers and their metastases whose microenvironment releases SDF-1, the cytokine that
attracts ECFCs equipped with the receptor for SDF-1 (CXCR4) into the tumor masses.
The advantages of the technology are many, among which:
1. Long shelf life of the bio-molecular complex;
2. Ease of preparation;
3. Low cost;
4. Use of ECFCs from the same patient (personalized therapy), to avoid rejection;
5. Identification of the complex by photoacoustic effect or SPECT tomography.
Industrial application

5. Possible
Developments
The patent is available for outright assignment, as well as for exclusive and non-
exclusive licensing. Licenses are available for the remaining term of the patent titles.
The Research Group is available for new collaborative and third-party research
activities, in-depth technical investigations, scientific advice, also aimed at raising the
TRL of the technology.
The TRL of the invention is 4.

6. Ufficio di Trasferimento Tecnologico dell’Università degli Studi di Firenze
Sede: Piazza S. Marco 4 – 50121 Firenze
Sito web: www.unifi.it
E-mail: brevetti@unifi.it
For further information,
please contact:
Ufficio Regionale di Trasferimento Tecnologico
Sede: Via Luigi Carlo Farini, 8 50121 Firenze (FI)
E-mail: urtt@regione.toscana.it
For further information,
please contact: